246/646) Caffe Volo: Tactical Nuclear Pengiun by Brewdog of Scotland: **1/2; this was going for $10 per 1oz serving; I nursed mine for a full half hour; it checks in at an astounding 32% ; it was served at room temperature as recommended by the brewer; strong, intense nose; it is a tart, sharp tasting blend of alcohol, red wine, roots, fig, raisin, resin, dried fruit, Christmas cake flavours; incredibly complex; in my notes I decided it tastes & smells like best cough syrup ever;
This is created using a process akin to freeze distilling and for this reason, Stephen Beaumont feels this is more like a spirit than a beer and as a result he awards Utopias the honour of highest alcohol content for a beer. Read more at http://www.brewdog.com/blog-article/214
247/647) Caffe Volo: Old Crustacean Barley Wine (2008) by Rogue Brewery of Oregon, U.S.A.: **1/2; suprisingly hoppy nose (grapefruit) for a barley wine; citrusy flavours, grain notes;
248/648) Caffe Volo: XS Imperial Stout (2008) by Rogue Brewery of Oregon, U.S.A.: **; on opening this one Tomas said he was sniffing 4 years of aging; nose is raisins, fruitcake sparkling wine; frothy but astringent mouthfeel; I thought I detected grape flavours;
This was a terrific evening hosted by the Volo. The idea was they would be opening bottles from their cellar every half hour according to a pre-set schedule, five ounce portions until they ran out. On the half hour they rang a bell and more treasures emerged. I hurried to get there by 6:30 for the Brewdog offering. Had I stayed until midnight, I would have been there for the Westvleteren XII.
It worked out very well. I was concerned that things might get out of hand but thanks to their decision to be careful with the Brewdog I was fit to visit Tracks after the bus reached me to the station and as I was sitting near the window wondering if I should order something to eat my wife and daughter spotted me. They joined me for a drink and I accompanied them to the music outside the Rose Theatre.
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